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Kyrie Irving calls booing Boston crowd 'like the scorned girlfriend'

Every move Kyrie Irving made was met with loud boos from the crowd at TD Garden in Boston on Sunday. And the Brooklyn Nets point guard doesn't expect it to change.

"I know it's going to be like that for the rest of my career coming in here," Irving told reporters after the 126-120 loss to the Boston Celtics. "It's like the scorned girlfriend who wants an explanation on why I left but still hoping for a text back. I'm just like, 'It's fun while it lasted.' I think that's the relationship that makes it fun."

The crowd levied loud and clear boos at Irving during player introductions and every time he touched the ball. With 30 seconds remaining in the fourth, the crowd bellowed "Kyrie sucks" during Celtics free throws. Jayson Tatum, who erupted for a season-high 54 points, attempted to quiet the crowd and the TV cameras caught Irving shaking his head and smiling.

It was Irving's first game back sine mid-January and his first in Boston since last year's playoff series in which he was hit with a water bottle after the Nets win in Game 4.

He had 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals in 37:14. Kevin Durant, in his second game back since mid-January, led the Nets with 37 points and eight assists. It was their only their fourth time together on the court for the Nets.

Irving raves about Boston front office, teammates

Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving doesn't expect the attitude in Boston to change over the course of his career. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Irving, 29, spoke positively of his time in Boston and about everyone in the organization, including former teammates.

"The reality is I'm just grateful for my time here in Boston," Irving told reporters. "Everyone in the front office, everyone in that locker room treated me well. [I] still have lasting relationships in our league that extend as a brotherhood for us and the league. We still remain close. To see the growth of a lot of guys that I played with on this team and seeing this core group back together.

"I was with these guys when they were pups. ... I just have mutual respect for them and coming back in this environment, we know what it is. I just got to lock in on the mission, stay focused and not try to have too many conversations with fans on the side when they call me out on my name."

Irving, who opted not to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, is still unable to play at the Nets' Barclays Center or Knicks' Madison Square Garden due to a "private sector mandate" in place in New York City. The Nets (32-33) continue their East Coast travels with games at the Charlotte Hornets (32-33) on Tuesday and Philadelphia 76ers (39-24) on Thursday before returning to New York to face the Knicks on Sunday.